Back in November 09, I was finally able to see the movie “Precious” (Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). I had not read the book prior to seeing the film, but friends who had “warned” me about what to expect.

To put things mildly, what I was told really didn’t prepare me for what I saw. I mean I left the theater without being able to close my mouth from shock.

There were several scenes that had me about to break down in major tears but somehow I was able to keep from going there. The emotional/sexual/physical abuse, overt colorism, etc were almost too much. But… the story of a young woman fighting to survive for her sake & the sake of her children helped me make it through the movie. I was hoping that this girl who had everything against her finally won.

Once I got home, I sat down to figure out how I was going to talk about the movie & was stuck. I guess I was stuck because I felt like I was missing something. What did the movie not cover from the book. And I also wanted to know more about Precious’ friends from the “alternative.” So, at this point, I logged onto Amazon & purchased “Push.”

Flash forward>>>>>>>>>>>>

I’ve read the book & it filled in all of the holes that I knew were missing and I was satisfied knowing the complicated back-stories of Precious’ friends.

One thing that stuck with me through the book was this passage from chapter 1:

“I big, I talk, I eats, I cooks, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muver say. But I can see when the picture come back I don’t exist. Don’t nobody want me. Don’t nobody need me. I know who I am. I know who they say I am-vampire sucking the system’s blood. Ugly black grease to be wipe away, punish, kilt, changed, finded a job for.”
~ Precious

Is the book hard to read? Yes! The vernacular is written phonetically & some may struggle with that as I’ve heard.

Is the book graphic? Hell yes! The book makes the movie look like a PG rated after school special.

My favorite laughable take aways from the book not fully played out in the movie? “Cunt Bucket.” & “Hasta la vista, baby.”

“She look at me like I said I wanna suck a dog’s dick or some shit. What’s with this cunt bucket? (That’s what my muver call women she don’t like, cunt buckets. I kinda get it and I kinda don’t get it, but I like the way it sounds so I say it too.)” ~ Precious

——–

“My muver say, “Eighty –six that bitch.” I says into the intercom. “Hasta la vista, baby.” That’s Spanish for good-bye but when niggers say it, it’s like, kiss my ass.” ~ Precious

Without a doubt, “Push” is a MUST read, if you’ve seen or want to see the movie “Precious! The short novel fills in the missing links & believe me there are many. This is surprising because the book is a quick 192 pages compared to the 110 minute movie.

Flash forward one mo’ gin’ (Negro Dialect)>>>>>>>>>>>>

This past Monday I attended a MLK symposium talk sponsored by the University of Michigan titled “Push, Literacy, Women, and African American Literature” given by poet & novelist Sapphire.

Sapphire coming to town was too much like right! While at the talk, I planned on getting my book autographed & asking some of the pressing questions on my mind regarding the movie & book.

After the very exciting session was said & done, I wasn’t able to get my book signed but I did get the chance to ask two of my three questions which are addressed in the audio link here.

I wish I could have asked my 3rd question regarding the content on 111 para 4. I just wanted to be sure that what I read was what I read & not what I was thinking it was.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

A few of my Tweets from the Talk:

• I’m at the Sapphire lecture & the hall is almost at standing room only. Wow! http://twitpic.com/yoj1t http://twitpic.com/yoj1h
• Sapphire is reading from “Push.” I’m loving this!
• White people are leaving the Sapphire’s talk. I guess they cannot handle her reading from “Push.” Interesting!
• Standing in line to ask Sapphire a question. http://twitpic.com/yow8y
• I actually talked with Sapphire. Posting audio later. I’m excited!!!!
• Sapphire just read this woman who tried to read her. Shit!!!
• Male rape victim now at the mic talking to Sapphire. Wow!
• The line was way too long to get my book signed by Sapphire but I was able to get a photo. Yes! http://twitpic.com/yp4kx

Did you see the movie, read the book or both? What are your thoughts?

The last week, has been heavy since the news of the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. The images alone haunted my dreams fro days. The concern over what would happen to my brothers & sisters in the Diaspora in the wake of chaos, destruction & panic broke my heart, as I’m sure is the case with most people who watch and wait for the slightest bit of good news.

The only thing that I knew to do immediately was donate cash for this cause & that was easy. I sent a text message to 501501 with the word Yele. Later, Suite Suzy went online & made a larger donation to the same organization.

Yes, these are small donations but every dollar adds up quickly. So I encourage you to act with a cash donations ASAP.

Here are a few links:

• American Red Cross
• Americares
• CARE
• Direct Relief International
• Doctors Without Borders
• Food for Poor
• Heart to Heart International
• International Rehabilitation Forum
• International Rescue Committee
• Oxfam
• Partners in Health
• Save the Children
• UNICEF
• World Food Programme
• Yele Haiti

As I stated on Twitter earlier this week: “I hate to be the bearer of bad news but prayers don’t deliver food, aid, medicines or missing loved ones. Cash will make all of the above happen. I’m just saying.

On a similar but somewhat related note, I’d like to address Pat Robert’s most ignorant statement to date. In case, you missed it, that fool said… What, you can see for yourself in the video below followed by two on point rebuttals.

I’d like to say Pat Robertson; you have officially been checked bitch!

One a final note, I spotted this very witty note from the devil to Pat Robertson written by Lily Coyle, of Minneapolis on NPR’s website today.

“Dear Pat Robertson,

I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I’m all over that action.

But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I’m no welcher. The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished.

Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth — glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven’t you seen “Crossroads”? Or “Damn Yankees”?

If I had a thing going with Haiti, there’d be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox — that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it – I’m just saying: Not how I roll.

You’re doing great work, Pat, and I don’t want to clip your wings — just, come on, you’re making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That’s working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.

Best, Satan”

Photo Above:?
Photographer: Unknown
Decedents: 2010 Haiti earthquake victims

After reading Senator Harry Reid’s [“unintentional“] racist comment, I went into blank stare mode, then snapped out & went straight into no that mutha fucka didn’t mode. In case you’ve been under a rock, this fool said privately that he believed Barack Obama was well suited to a presidential run because he is a “light-skinned” African American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.”

First, of all, it’s clear that there is a fear/dislike of the dark skinned Black. Reid’s statement & many echoed around news outlets, blogs etc have led me to believe that all of these incidences of unintentional racism go to the core of beliefs held by many white Americans.

I don’t know how many times today I’ve heard that Barack Obama would have not been our president had he been darker. Sounds like some Willie Lynch shit to me. Is a light Negro less dangerous & friendlier than a dark Negro?

Truth be told, if our ancestors were not raped and… No, I won’t go there, that’s another blog post.

Second, what the fuck is a “Negro dialect?” I’ve been searching for that meaning all weekend! And how does Reid know who has the ability to turn said dialect on & off? Is the ability to turn it on & off based on skin complexion?

Dictionary.com defines dialect as – a variety of a language that is distinguished from other varieties of the same language by features of phonology, grammar, and vocabulary, and by its use by a group of speakers who are set off from others geographically or socially.

Black Americans, just like any other group on this country are now homogeneous. And the last time I polled, my Negro friends, 94.254% of them sounded like my white friends. I’m just saying.

So now people, mainly republicans are calling on Reid to step down. I’m actually torn on this; not sure if he straight up needs to go or if he needs a verbal bitch slap from the top down; starting with the Black Messiah (Barack Obama) himself. Well, I guess that verbal bitch slap from the Black Messiah won’t be coming. He just feels that Reid used “inartful language.”

Lastly, I have an issue with the Congressional Black Caucus unequivocally backing Reid. Where’s the out rage in our “Black” leaders on Capital Hill?

Now: Do I dare broach the subject of a white man claiming that he’s blacker than a Black man? A nasty looking white man, who’s a disgrace to the state of IL, politics in general & possibly his race thinks that he’s blacker than a Black men; the man running this fucking nation? I think not!

Obama may be a lot of things, but one thing is, he is undeniably is the quintessential Black man in every fashion.

This fool Rod Blababitch Blagojevich said to Esquire magazine:

“I’m blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little Laundromat in a black community not far from where he lived. I saw it all growing up.”

Since when does shining shoes give a white man a ghetto pass? Shit, I play golf but that doesn’t make me white, or wanted on the golf course. Actually, I don’t play golf; I just want to make a point.

Honestly, I can’t even be mad at Blagojevich for his dumb ass comment. It’s clear that he’s struggling to remain relevant & in the news. What better way to attempt that by saying something so over the top. Creating this controversy gave this fool another three minutes on his fading fifteen minutes of fame. I guess his upcoming appearance on “Celebrity Apprentice” wasn’t enough.

I’ll tell you; today, I suffered the biggest racial tension headache that I’ve experienced since Don Dumb Imus said with pride; “Them some nappy headed hoes.”

Something tells me that this ad is a little more than racist. I don’t think Australia in general will ever get it. Am I tripping?

From the talking heads of KFC

“It is a light-hearted reference to the West Indian cricket team. The ad was reproduced online in the US without KFC’s permission, where we are told a culturally-based stereotype exists, leading to the incorrect assertion of racism. We unequivocally condemn discrimination of any type and have a proud history as one of the world’s leading employers for diversity.”

I really don’t get this commercial. Why do Black athletes have to be compared to animals? Maybe Im tripping…

By now, we all know that Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested for “being at home while Black” & racial profiling is back up front & on display like never. What does this mean? Where do we go from here? Really, I want to know because I’m lost.

Maybe you can find an answer on my friend Dr. Lester K Spence’s latest blog posts “What do you call a Black Man with a PhD?” parts I & II.

Flipping the script a bit & on a softer racial profiling note; two weeks ago, I was shopping on 5th Ave in NYC when I decided to stop in the Lacoste store for a shirt.

After browsing uninterrupted for a short bit, I spotted a shirt that I wanted, then looked for my size but could not find it. Moments later a clerk came & asked if she could help me. I said sure, I need a XXL, so she called to get one. Then I asked about another shirt & she called on that too.

As the shirts came, she said in an almost whispered voice, “these are not on sale.”

I paused! (BOOM)

I looked at the shirts! (BOOM BOOM)

I then looked at her & said AND!? (BOOM BITCH BOOM)

She backed off! (POOF BITCH)

I dropped the shirts then walked out pissed! (POOF, I KIRKED OUT)

I know this happens all the time but when it happened to me, I was pissed off. I guess I still am.

Maybe it was my hair that made her think I was broke, maybe it was my dashiki or perhaps it was my cheap Old Navy jeans. I’m just saying.

The bottom relatable line is that racial profiling comes in many forms regardless of education, socioeconomic status or state of dress because the wanna be red neck robo cop, cab drivers, the nervous presumptuous white woman on the elevator, or ignorant store clerks working hard for commission sales all don’t give a fuck.

I origannly posted this on the Afro Spear blog last week & decided to cross post it here becuase it’s getting such a strong reponse there. Like a real strong response. The movie has been out for week now & the controversy has been swirling. Have a read & leave your thoughts. I’m interested in your thoughts.
————————————————
Transformers: Racism That Meets The Eye
June 25, 2009 by Tafari

Yesterday, I made it a point to go see “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” in IMAX. Ever since the last Transformers theatrical release I had been giddy for more.

Hours before I headed to the movies, I started reading posts online that discussed racism in the movie but still I pressed on to Showcase Cinemas and dropped $10.50 for my ticket.

Fast forwarding 2.5 hours later. I’m walking out of the theater with my mind blown for many reasons; 1st, the movie was so action packed I thought I was going to slip into a seizure. 2nd the movie was overtly sexually, which made it seem like an R rated movie instead of PG-13 and 3rd The racism that was built into the movie billed as comedic relief.

As I drove home, I tried to reconcile the racism but I could not, so I decided to sleep on it. So this morning, when I woke up, I actually got mad about what I saw in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” The racism that I’m talking about in case you don’t already know is dealing with the Autobot twins “Skids” and “Mudflap” or the “ Little Black Sambo[ts].”

• Both of the twins talk like they are straight from a Lil Wayne video.
• The play the dozens (crack jokes on each other and anyone else) in every scene.
• They are seemingly proud of the fact that they cannot read. “Read?! Nuh-uh…” “No, we don’t really do much readin’!”
• Skids has a GOLD front tooth. Yes, a big bucked out gold tooth
• The names “Skids” and “Mudflap” imply darkness and or nastiness.
• Do I really need to add a 6th, you should get the picture now.

(Wait, for extra measure, if you want to see another relevant countdown list, you have to read this. “7 reasons why Transformers 2 might be racist…”)

With all this now parsed out, I’m wondering why and how this stereotypical bullshit slipped past Michael Bay and Paramount Pictures. Did they care? Did they know? Did they think it was ok?

I feel bad and torn because I actually liked the movie a lot, but how could I in good conscious? Maybe it’s the kid in me remembering watching the cartoon way back in the mid 80s.

Although the racism pisses me off about this flick, I was also disturbed about the adult content and overt hypersexuality. But like I said, I liked the movie, so what does this mean about me?

I know I won’t see the movie again, nor will I purchase the DVD. I do not want my kids seeing this mess and not only that it’s so not a kids movie. Don’t let the PG-13 rating fool you!

Transformers used to be all about the kids way back when, but not so much now thanks to Michael Bay and Paramount Pictures. I’m just saying.

Side note: This post is not nearly what I wanted it to be. Not at all! My thoughts are with and on Michael Jackson. As I wrap this up, I’m chair dancing to “Off The Wall” while I try to control my urge to cry about a man that reached my soul through song, dance and beauty.

I read this story earlier today & the two things that ran through my mind were, 1) why does this bitch still have a job (we know why but still) & 2) regardless of what “list” you intended to send a blatantly offensive message to, it’s still wrong, inappropriate, & fucked up.

“The chairman of Tennessee’s Democratic Party wants a Republican legislative aide fired for sending out a “reprehensible” e-mail depicting President Obama as two cartoonish white eyes peering from a black background.

Obama’s image is in the last square of a collage containing portraits of the previous 43 U.S. presidents. The e-mail, which was sent to other GOP staff members, was posted on the Internet Monday.

Sherri Goforth, an administrative assistant to state Sen. Diane Black, R-Gallatin, has admitted she sent the e-mail May 28 with the title “Historical Keepsake Photo.” She said, without elaborating, that she mistakenly sent it “to the wrong list of people.”

According to the Tennessean, a Nashville newspaper, a note on the e-mail said it was paid for by the Tennessee Republican Party, but GOP officials denied they produced it. Black leads the Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus.

There was no comment from the White House as of Tuesday afternoon.

Black rebuked Goforth but didn’t dismiss her.

“I want to be sure that everyone understands that the communication was sent without my knowledge,” Black said Tuesday afternoon. “It absolutely does not represent the beliefs or opinions of my office. I want to be very clear about that.”

“Ms. Goforth did get a verbal reprimand as well as a very strongly worded reprimand, written, that was put in her file that if this should ever occur again, that she would be terminated,” Black said.

“This is an employee who has had a stellar record,” Black said. She added that Goforth has worked in state government for more than 20 years, and has had a clean record.

“We followed policy. And that’s what you do when someone breaks the rules, you follow policy,” she said.

A phone message left for Goforth by CNN was not answered.

“Is this indicative of what Senate Republicans think about our commander-in-chief?” asked state Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester in a statement posted on the party’s Web site.

“I am calling on Sen. Black to reject this racist smear and fire this staffer who, on state government time, on state government computers, using a state government e-mail account, launched this bigoted attack on our president,” Forrester said. “Keeping her on the staff would send the message that this type of behavior is condoned by the Senate Republican Caucus.”…”

Read more here

I guess when you are so deeply ignorant; you cannot see the forest for the trees & everyone else is wrong for calling your bullshit out.

Maybe I should be outraged but I’m not. This kinda mess happens far to often & not much is done.

I wonder if they will send Sherri Goforth to some racial sensitivity training & make her volunteer at a food bank in the hood so that she will realize that “all” Negroes aren’t spooks. I’m just saying!

I’m also wondering if Sherri Goforth will say that some of her best friends are Black.

The latest white woman & child abduction in Pennsylvania has my blood on a slow simmer after it had been boiling all morning.

When Bonnie Sweeten stated that she along with her 9 year old daughter were abducted by black assailants pushing a Cadillac [that was sitting on 24s with spinning rims (I just made that up)], my eye brow raised in much skepticism, but still I was concerned for her.

Today we learn that she was not abducted and was chillaxing in a hotel near Disney World. What the fuck? Are you kidding me? There was really no big bad Negro involved, no, not at all???

It really pisses me off how (some) white women & or white men blame black or brown men for acting out fabricated crimes; be it rape, assault, robbery etc.

Pissing me off even more are the comments that I’ve read online from white respondents who have stated that they saw no issue with this crime being blamed on black men because of other socio-economic/political factors.

When will the caricature of the big bad black & brown man end?

And seriously speaking, what are the chances that a black or brown man will abduct an anonymous white woman with or without a kid in tow, especially in broad daylight? PLEASE!

The funny thing about this & other Susan Smith/Jennifer Willbanks(esque) situations is that it leaves the media with egg on their face as they aid in the search for the dark imaginary assailant(s). On the opposite side of the spectrum, these cases force people in the affected community to deal with racial issues whether they want to or not.

I wonder how Nancy Grace will react to this development tonight.

Originally posted on the Afrospear

If I was in NYC right now, I might have to throw a cinder block through this bitches window!

And since when did having a brother in law that is of a different race/ethinc group make a racist a lover of all people? Nigga please!